SFCNS / YouCliN Mentoring Program

Concept

The interdisciplinary SFCNS-YouCliN Mentoring Program is intended to support to a successful academic scientific and/or clinical career development. The mentors may provide useful and impartial advice. Furthermore, it can facilitate connecting on both a personal and professional level with leaders and role models in the field.

The Mentoring Program follows a «bottom-up» philosophy, in which interested mentees inquire about mentorship or contact with a mentor of their choice in or outside Switzerland. Furthermore, they will actively request continuous career-building advice. The Mentoring Program has been developed for students and graduates with interest in neuroscience and features the following specificities:

Mentors and mentees are both active in the field of neuroscience

The relationship is individual one-to-one mentoring

The initial mentorship lasts for two years but can be subsequently extended on a yearly basis, provided both mentee and mentor agree

Regular meetings (3-6 times per year – personal or via telephone/video-call) are expected.

Aims

The mentors will use their experience to help the future generation of Swiss neuroscientists acquire the necessary tools to understand how to:

A further aim of this program is to counteract gender disparity in academic medicine by providing specific advice and support.

Two-tier system

The SFCNS-YouCliN Mentoring Program is built up in two tiers. Tier 1 Mentors are senior faculty and leading experts in their field. Tier 2 Mentors are senior fellows or junior faculty with or without habilitation and provide primarily advice for the initial and intermediate career steps, such as related to specialization, combining research and clinical development, MD-PhD programs.

Become a mentor if you are active in the field of neuroscience and have a particular interest in and availability to support the development and career of young neuroscientists. There is no financial reimbursement for participation. However, SFCNS-YouCliN mentors are eligible for the SFCNS Teacher of the Year Award. We recommend one, maximum two mentees per mentor. Interested mentors can approach the SFCNS/YouCliN to get listed on the website. Applicants as a Tier 2 Mentor should provide a letter of motivation and a CV with a list of publications (max 3 DIN A4 pages).

2. The SFCNS/YouCliN will contact the mentor(s).3. Upon acceptation by the mentor, a “mentoring agreement” will be sent to both parties and a signed copy will be kept at the SFCNS. This document can be renewed on a yearly basis after the initial 2 years, should both parties agree.4. The mentee is responsible to keep the mentoring relationship running.5. The SFCNS/YouCliN is available in case of questions / difficulties / issues.

Eligibility

The mentee should have a strong commitment to pursue an academic career. Those with the intention to do a PhD and/or habilitation are particularly encouraged to participate. We encourage you to apply for this Mentorship Program at the end of your studies or at the earliest stages (typically within the first 3-4 years) of your academic career. You are eligible to participate if you are: